Ryan To Captain Emerging Ireland In McCarthy's Absence

Second row and captain Mike McCarthy had been ruled out of the Emerging Ireland squad for the IRB Nations Cup due to a calf injury.

Mike McCarthy will be replaced in the squad by Munster's Billy Holland.Dominic Ryan, who led Leinster 'A' to their second successive British & Irish Cup recently, has been named as captain of the side.

Meanwhile, Ulster pair Ricky Lutton and Stuart McCloskey have been called up to replace Rodney Ah You and Noel Reid who were late additions to the Ireland squad that travelled to Buenos Aires for the summer tour.

There are five players with Test experience in the youthful 26-man panel picked for Romania - Craig Gilroy, Ian Keatley and Paul Marshall in the backs division and Michael Bent and Tommy O'Donnell in the forwards.

The Emerging Ireland team, coached by Dan McFarland and Neil Doak, will take on Russia in their opening game of the tournament in Bucharest on Friday week (June 13).